Olympic-inspired snacks make watching the games more fun

Published 4:56 pm, Wednesday, January 27, 2010

This photo taken Jan. 10. 2010 shows an arranged asparagus and apple salad with prosciutto and goat cheese sporting a pair of skis in a nod to alpine skiing. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe)

This photo taken Jan. 10. 2010 shows an arranged asparagus and apple salad with prosciutto and goat cheese sporting a pair of skis in a nod to alpine skiing. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe)

Photo: Larry Crowe, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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This photo taken Jan. 3, 2010 shows a creamy turkey Dijon crostini . Looking like a person on a tiny sled these creamy turkey Dijon crostini are fun while watching the Olympic skeleton event. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe) less

This photo taken Jan. 3, 2010 shows a creamy turkey Dijon crostini . Looking like a person on a tiny sled these creamy turkey Dijon crostini are fun while watching the Olympic skeleton event. (AP Photo/Larry ... more

Photo: Larry Crowe, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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This photo taken jan. 3, 2010 shows sausage and apple-stuffed zucchini. Try these sausage and apple-stuffed zucchini to set the mood for the Olympic luge events. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe)

This photo taken jan. 3, 2010 shows sausage and apple-stuffed zucchini. Try these sausage and apple-stuffed zucchini to set the mood for the Olympic luge events. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe)

Photo: Larry Crowe, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Olympic-inspired snacks make watching the games more fun

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The winter Olympic games in Vancouver, starting Feb. 12, have inspired the following recipes. So, get ready to hit the slopes with the first entry, a mountain of soft white goat cheese paired with asparagus spear "skis" that makes for a fine arranged salad reminiscent of Alpine skiing.

Cut the log of goat cheese into quarters, arranging each on a serving plate.

In a medium saucepan over high, bring 3 inches of water to a boil. Add the asparagus and blanch until the spears are bright green and just tender when pierced with a fork, two to three minutes. Drain and cover in cold water to stop the cooking. Drain again, and dry the spears.

Lean 2 asparagus spears on each portion of goat cheese. Cut each scallion in half lengthwise. Wrap a slice of prosciutto around a quarter of apple and tie with a length of scallion. Place on top of the asparagus "skis." Serves four.

In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, mustard and honey. Drizzle over each salad.

These crostini resemble people flying head first down a hill on a tiny sled, as happens in the skeleton event. Let them fly right onto a platter for chowing while watching the games.

CREAMY TURKEY DIJON CROSTINI

12-inch baguette, cut into 12 slices

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

4 ounces smoked deli-sliced turkey

12 fresh basil leaves

1 orange bell pepper, cored and cut into 12 slices

Heat the oven to 375 degrees.

Arrange the bread slices on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the bread, then season with salt and pepper. Toast until just golden, about 10 minutes. Remove the toasts from the oven and set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl mix together the cream cheese and mustard until smooth.

When the toasts have cooled, spread each with a bit of the cream cheese mixture. Wrap one basil leaf around each pepper strip, then wrap a slice of deli turkey around that to make little cigars. Place one cigar on top of each crostini. Serves 12.

There aren't a whole lot of foods that easily convey the high-speed downhill thrills of the luge. But you can at least get in the mood with these sausage and apple-stuffed zucchini sleds.

SAUSAGE AND APPLE-STUFFED ZUCCHINI

2 tablespoons butter

1 medium yellow onion, finely diced

1 medium carrot, finely diced

1 stalk celery, finely diced

1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed (optional)

4 ounces Italian sausage meat, crumbled

1 medium apple, peeled, cored and diced

3 cups stuffing-mix bread cubes

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

4 medium zucchini

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large saute pan over medium-high, melt the butter. Add the onion, carrot, celery and fennel seeds, then saute until the onion is tender and transparent, about five minutes. Add the sausage and apple, then saute until the meat is cooked through, about three minutes.

Add the stuffing, then mix well. Drizzle in the broth, then mix well. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and let sit for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, slice the zucchini in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or melon baller to scrape out the seedy center of each half, then arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet or in a large, shallow baking dish.

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Fill each half with the stuffing mixture, packing it well. Bake until the zucchini are tender, about 20 minutes. Serves eight.